Hoshana Rabbah, 21 Tishrei, 5786
For Hoshanos today, the paragraphs of Adam u’veheimah (which we missed yesterday) and Adamah mei’erer are said. Each phrase is preceded by the word hoshana. Beginning with the letter samech or ayin in the second paragraph, each phrase is both preceded and followed by the word hoshana. Starting from that point, the bimah is circled. The aliyos in today’s kriah are as follows: for Kohen we read Uvayom hachamishi; for Levi we read Uvayom hashishi; for the third aliyah we read Uvayom hashevi’i; and for the fourth aliyah we read Uvayom hachamishi and Uvayom hashishi. Today’s ushpizin are Dovid Hamelech and the Rebbe Rashab.
It is customary to stay up the entire night. Before chatzos, say the entire Chumash Devarim. (This is not done with a minyan.) After chatzos, say the entire Tehillim quickly (together with the minyan). Married men wear a gartel. After each sefer say the Yehi Ratzon for Hoshana Rabbah, as well as the Yehi Ratzon said “after the moon rises” (both are printed in the back of the Tehillim). However, do not say the Yehi Ratzon for Yom Tov.
Between sefarim, the gabba’im distribute sweet apples, to be dipped in honey and eaten in the sukkah (either in the shul’s sukkah or later in your private sukkah).
There were times when the Rebbe mentioned the custom of saying passages of Zohar on the night of Hoshana Rabbah (as printed in Tikkun Leil Hoshana Rabbah). The Rebbe encouraged using any spare time you have tonight for simchas beis hasho’eivah—before Chumash Devarim, between Chumash Devarim and Tehillim, and/or after Tehillim.
If you were up the entire night, at alos hashachar use the restroom, wash negel vasser, and recite the morning berachos.
Put down the lulav and esrog, lift the bundle of five aravos, and strike them on the ground five times. Say the Yehi Ratzon. This is followed by Shir Shel Yom, L’david Hashem ori and krias hatorah. The aliyos in today’s kriah are as follows: For Kohen, Uvayom hachamishi is read; for Levi, Uvayom hashishi is read; for the third aliyah, Uvayom hashevi’i is read; and for the fourth aliyah, Uvayom hashishi and Uvayom hashevi’i are read. In Musaf, insert the paragraphs Uvayom hashishi... Uvayom hashevi’i.
During the Day
During today’s meal, dip the Hamotzi challah into honey. It is customary to eat kreplach on Hoshana Rabbah. Give tzedakah today for the two days of Yom Tov. Minchah is the last time we say L’david Hashem ori.
Hadlakas Neiros
Prepare a long-burning candle, from which the Yom Tov candles can be lit tomorrow night. Ideally, women and girls should light candles before shekiah. Two berachos are said: Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov and Shehecheyanu. A man lighting candles should not make the berachah of Shehecheyanu when lighting, as he will say this berachah later when making Kiddush.
